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A case/control study was conducted to investigate the role of chronic exposure to hydrocarbons in causing chronic renal disease. The study population included patients with chronic renal disease and matched controls identified from the metropolitan areas of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Altogether, 321 matched pairs were studied. Patients had either chronic renal disease with a diagnosis of idiopathic chronic glomerulopathy or chronic renal failure with an unknown primary disease. There was no significant difference between cases and controls regarding lifetime occupational hydrocarbon exposure, mean scores being 165 parts per million (ppm) and 162ppm, respectively. The hydrocarbon exposure was categorized into a dichotomous variable using a cutoff point set at 100ppm based on the opinion of the study industrial hygiene team. Subjects were considered to be exposed if they had a score of more than 100ppm and nonexposed if the score was below 100ppm. Cases had a higher proportion of exposed subjects than controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. Even after controlling for possible confounders, there was no significant difference found for the overall comparison between cases and controls. The authors conclude that there was no significant association found between renal disease and hydrocarbon exposure. However, there was a significant association found within the subgroup of solvent agents and degreasers, and unclassified diagnosis.